Kerala flood victims need your help

In August, the beautiful coastal areas of God’s own country Kerala were flooded with the heaviest rainfall in a hundred years. Severe sea erosion has caused even more damage. Over 600 houses have been badly damaged and many more submerged. Many have died and life is at a standstill.

Many homes in the low-lying regions of Kuttanad which is Kerala’s rice bowl were submerged. Landslides were reported in the hilly Idukki, where the Idukki dam swelled to its capacity.

Rotarians in Vaikom and Kottayam were the first rescue workers to reach out to the flood victims. They hit the ground running, waded through flood water, taking boats and vans to deliver food, medicines and other basic necessities including clean drinking water.

Raju Thomas, President, RC ­Vaikom, recalls: “When the floods began, people shifted to temporary camps. Our club took the initiative and provided them with the immediate needs. People are unable to go to work, and the situation is worse for daily wage earners. We need help to provide them food items such as rice, wheat and pulses and also medicines.”

Please contribute generously;
D 3211 Governor E K Luke can be contacted at 9895045650 or rtn.ekluke@outlook.com. Contributions can also be sent to DG A Venkatachalapathy, D 3201: 9443069686. Email: pathy.av28@gmail.com or DG E K Ummer, D 3202: 9847025578; Email: dr.ekummer@gmail.com.

 The author is past governor of District 3232.